ceremonial structures

Built in a Moorish style in 1366, this synagogue became a church after 1492 but is now being restored to its original form. Hebrew inscriptions adorn the walls of this major Jewish site.

One of the oldest Moorish monuments in Spain, this tiny 10th-century mosque was built over a Visigothic chapel then converted into a church by King Alfonso.

Originally built in the 4th century to house the relics of the city's first two martyrs, Vitale and Agricola, this is the oldest church in Bologna and part of the Santo Stefano complex.

This fine 12th-century church, part of an active Benedictine abbey, houses the relics of St. Matthias, the apostle who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. It is still visited by many pilgrims.

Nestled among lavender and sunflower fields, this medieval monastery is best known for its association with Vincent Van Gogh, who was treated for mental illness here in 1889–90.

The “Ladies' Abbey” in Caen was founded by Queen Mathilda, wife of William the Conqueror, in 1063. Its church, La Trinité, is a fine example of early Norman architecture.

One of the most famous monuments in Paris, the Roman-style Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to celebrate military victories and honor the memories of fallen soldiers.

Visible from nearby Arles on its hilltop, the Abbaye de Montmajour was mostly constructed in the 12th century and is now a World Heritage Site.